A Socialist Tour in Pennsylvania
MacDonald, Marie
A Socialist Tour in Pennsylvania Coal Miners Eager for the Message of the Party By Marie MacDonald haa been a heart-stirring venture going through the mountain districts of Pennsylvania, inthe...
...They formed apicket line from the pit of themine, stretching bravely far along the road...
...They were ready to do every kind of work connected with the business of winning, of keeping themaelves alive...
...That sum would bnly one-seventh of what Is reuired to provide decent homes fone-third of America's populatioow living In sub-standard dwellngs...
...This time they asked forone thing only, and that was >ichance to share In the availablework...
...But they are not, and teason is plain to see...
...The Central Committee rused, by an overwhelming vote...
...All in all, the rip through the miners' country as one that gave me great heartches, but also great hope...
...The men asked for reduced hours and an equal division of work...
...Fiaw la sal ram...
...It is in the small towns that we have our greatest duty as well as odr greatest opportunity...
...It is a clear andconcise statement based not on emotion but on cold facts which are confronting the Socialist movement hereand abroad...
...THE INTERNATIONAL By Arthur G. McDowell I am a member of the Socialistparty, not merely a political party ofthe working class but an entire movement for a complete and revolutionaryoverthrow of the private profit-taking,labor-exploiting society and its capitalist ruling class...
...THE MILITANTS By George Held Once more wc hear from the 'Milants...
...On all sides we sawthat want and privation has eatendeeply into the hearts and mindsof these people...
...Thas just as true In 1923 as in 192et we entered the reconstructeabor and Socialist Internationithout any open confession of erry the leaders of the parties that haurrendered to their particular nationl Imperialism in August, 1914...
...Scabs Cared For Here you see clearly the powerof the state protecting wealthagainst the striking tollers...
...Widdowson is a Socialist from stem to stern and radiates a fine spirit of intelligence and kindliness which has imbued the entire family...
...There will be a difference opinion as to the hour value of eacan'a labor...
...In these tiroes a political party ofthe workers should concentrate Its resources on propaganda, printed andoral...
...True, we are small In numbers anIn parliamentary prestige, but we agreat in our steady allegiance to thighest Interest of the working-clasIn our dlripltiif of those who in thhour of the great test would have leus into the arm of our capitalist enles In the name of democracy, anIn our revolutionary purpose...
...Their faces lightup with a great radiance at thesound of the message of Socialism...
...Great trucks were in readiness to carry the strikebreakers.After our meeting was over, we all went on the picket line...
...Its effiient personnel should be recalledost of Its engineers and architectre Idle because of the terrific deline in private construction...
...Scabswere being well taken care of.Places were provided for them ata nearby hotel...
...The Socialists in Pittsburgh are makinga determined effort to spread themessage of Socialism and aremeeting with great response.Wherever we went a plea camefrom the workers for help to startmore party organizations...
...Wc went to Cassandra withComrades Lieberman, Schwartzand Mrs...
...It was not "a lack of faith in thbility of Comrade Thomas to interet the Socialist philosophy, not lack of faith" of the members he C. C. "both In themaelves and Ihe Socialist philosophy*" nor werhere any "eentlmental reasons" Inolved...
...Cblcaf*, III...
...The S. L. P. and the Communist party have tried that and whata mess they have made of it...
...Many were gathered toether for a heart to heart and a ead to head talk...
...There is no doubt that this is thetime for us to work...
...It was fine to ee so many of our young comades who were eager to learn ore about our movement...
...Black lick An Inspiration The high light of our trip was Black Lick, an example of what our Party can do...
...This was denied...
...Thestate sends its emissaries of power to be on hand at a o'clocksharp, Just before the mines empty...
...The federal governmenhould turn over to the corporaion at least five billion dollarsaised by a federal bond Issue, to used In the construction oodel homes...
...Hetter la entirely misleading and higy exaggerates the situation The New Leader asked the Centrommittee to pass on this debatince It had been suggested by thederated Press for the purpose aising funds for all parties coerned...
...how it that I read that we must compoourselves with modesty and self-abasment In the company of such impotant "Socialist" personages as tleaders of the German Social-Demoracy and the thrice-betrayed Englislabor movement...
...An opportunity was given me to eet many Socialists at the hositable home of a Pittsburgh comade...
...The urge for Socialist rganization is so strong that in New Castle several of the old embers who came all the way rom Sharon made a request to rganize a local in their city...
...let us proudly declarhat we feel none too comfortable ihe company of those who so signallailed us and the International workng-class, until they have openlcknowledged their 1914 error anended their ways towards the revution...
...He Is heartily welomed on all sides...
...The Wlddowsons dedicated agreat, big room in their home for the use of the young people...
...The metropolitan area ha2,500 of the members, while the upstate organized locals have but 30members, exclusive of the foreigbranches, a proportion of 8 to 1. 2. Before July 4 the locals andmembers will be called on to buy national convention special assessmenstamps, state convention special assessment stamps, take apace In thnational convention souvenir Journalcampaign for the $50,000 nationalcampaign fund and make preparationto raise state and local campaignfunds...
...The night shift had beenlaid off...
...Usually they ask for more pay...
...They seem to know hat he will appear upon the scene f action with a kindly smile and great mass of literature under la arms...
...Not onlyhave they incurred enmity of organized labor, but Instead of organizingthe unorganized, they have helped disorganize the organized...
...In Prance, In Germany surredered their working-class leadershto Imperialism, capitalist dictatorshand Its ultimate crime, war...
...Theould welcome an opportunity ohis type...
...Now uggest that The New Leader Portievote space to planning for Socialsm...
...Lieberman, and the long,cold ride through the mountainswas just a part of our daily effortto bring a message of cheer...
...I marched behind thrand old figure of Algernon Lee, ans I went along on that inspirinunny day, I was thinking of a cerain "Militant" dance at which skitere employed to caricature Comradee and othera in the same fashiond with the same spirit as employey "Dally Worker" cartoonists...
...Militancy Is not a novel idea...
...Surely, any sensible Socialisnew that the crystallzatlon of "thifferences between the Socialist anommunist parties" were not inolved...
...the April 30th parade in Neork City...
...the historical retrospection especially merits attention for thelesson It conveys to young comradeswho are, carried away by platitudecouched in revolutionary phrases...
...The record of myparty Is a long and honorable one Inthe leadership of the vanguard of theAmerican working class...
...but instead,plain, brazen bravado...
...From past experiences, thesson weighed upon us that Counists have no need or desire fohat Comrade Sunasky would wanamely, Intelligent discussion anrystallzatlon of Issues...
...The Party's Need It is amazing how the comrades n the outlying districts look forard to the coming of Comrade ave Rinne...
...SOME QUESTIONS By H. O. Morrison During the twenty-five years of mtudy of Socialism, I have yet to disover any sort of a rational explanaion of the theories (some sareams) and dogmas of Socialishere are tons of literature thaimply make the old stereotyped rassertions—as to what Socialism wio for the worker-slave—create a neocial order, etc...
...We have the workrs, but we need the money...
...He la always ready with smile and a promise, saying, "I ill be back again with pictures his week...
...Why not get to work for thocialist Ideal Instead of talking such about It...
...Let us change theplace of our state convention beforeIt is too late and husband our scantyresources...
...ttunnysMf, I...
...Wewere met with open aims in Fayette City, Cassandra, Black Lick,Burgettstown, New Castle andStrabane...
...and for the right to maintain theirunion...
...But the man had plenty of fight...
...Out of 103 delegates assigned, 7or over two-thirds, air coming frothe metropolitan area which means atremendous unnecessary expense fortravel which the movement cannotafford...
...Of their women, the secretary of the unionMid, "Why, they are the back-bone of the strike, They have moreflint la tham than tba men...
...My allegiance wasgiven to this movement long beforethe political state In which I live permitted me to vote...
...The meeting atBlack Lick was a great successbecause the young people went into the homes of their elders and brought them to the theater...
...I. MILITANCY By Lauls Marcus I wish to express my appreciationof Comrade Oneal's article "SocallstParty and the Militant Program" InThe New Leader...
...With this object lesson before uet us plainly assert that the Amercan Socialist Party Is an historicallleft" party within the Labor >«rnocialist International as at preseonstituted...
...The knowledge and understanding of the Widdow-sons is what makes their home the central meeting place for the young people...
...It Is nor us but for the Otto Brauns whven now boast of their 1914 patritism, to be abased and silent In thouncils...
...8aaky has given to the refusal of thew York City Central Committeo sanction a debate at Madisoquare Garden between Normahomas and William Z. Foster...
...Last year the proposed nationalconvention was abandoned on accountof lack of funds...
...Socialist interference in the lnternal,affalra of tradeunions Is a retrogressive step whichwill Inevitably lead to the detrimentof the Socialist party...
...The depression which hitthem early, left them withoutproper clothing, with scanty foodand hovels unfit to live in...
...or a Peace-Time War On Slum Homin(Continued from Pare four) he manufacture of instruments oestruction...
...They ant to make themselves more seful and efficient...
...The demandis urgent...
...What we need la just a little money now to make it possible or our army of willing workers o give their time to the cause of iberation...
...When I talk to prospect," he usually asks somuestions such as, "How can you figre so that each workman In a facos*,of 100 and more will get the fulalue of his hour-time...
...They were especially eager to know more about Socialism...
...In the mining districts we metthe backbone of American industry and the sight is not good tosee...
...What o need la enough money to put work...
...3. In view of the fact that the stateowes, approximately 17,000, Includingunpaid obligatlona of the 1830 statecampaign and including $1,700 backsalary to State Secretary Merrill, Jan1, 1932, the movement cannot affordto waste a single dollar on a Junketing trip to Utloa for the 70 New Yorkdelegates...
...not aspark of rebellion...
...The state troopers came ingreat, shiny cars, warmly clothed and properly equipped, with a look of arrogance and power on theirfaces...
...I trust they aratisfied...
...THAT PROPOSED DEBATE By Harry Lapa t In I am simply amazed at the Interetation which Comrade Chas...
...The U. S. Housing Corporatiohould be revived at once...
...And lest some patriot quote to mhe hoary note about building ouarty here and not worrying so mucfield, I shall pass by the slurrinmplication that I am not, and refeim to the Oommunist Manifesto oarl Marx which distinguished beween the rank and file proletariand the Socialist first on the groundhat the Socialists "point out anring to the front the common Intersts of the entire proletariat, Indepenent of all nationality...
...Almost a page of It, in thssue of May 7th...
...Simlar requests are coming to us rom all sides...
...Forthirteen long weeks these peoplehave been demanding the right, to eat...
...When the supreme test of that revolutionary leadership with its responsibility for theinternational interests of the labormovement oame in the great Imperialist war of 1914 to 1018, the Americanparty stood fast, and In spite of theterrific cost kept faith with International Socialism...
...wehave had It with us ever since thebirth of the Socialist party in oneform or another, the Socialist Leagueorganized in 1917 advocated the samemeasures and employed the same tactics as the militants are doing nowhaving resulted in the demoralizationof the party in 1910...
...Here the young people, think, work and play together...
...A Socialist Tour in Pennsylvania Coal Miners Eager for the Message of the Party By Marie MacDonald haa been a heart-stirring venture going through the mountain districts of Pennsylvania, inthe heart of the soft-coal miningdistrict where the depression hasleft its mark upon the toil-wornand disillusioned miners...
...In spite of thisthey are yearning for knowledgeof a way out of their misery...
...My mind harks back to a few daygo...
...In a recent article Norman Thomtraces the present highly unpleasalight of the Oerman Social-Demoacy to their vasoillatlon over Revution In 1919, but partially excusthem on the grounds of their leaderesire to keep the "peace of Europe.s this the Norman Thomas whame to the Socialist movement Ihe testing time of war...
...In 1032 there is no money fo war on the poverty of the slund unemployment...
...The hundreds of dollars travelcost to Utlca will not make a singleSocialist but the campaign managernext summer and fall should haveavailable every cent that we can saveIf we have so much money to throwaway, why not reimburse In part atleast our aelf-aacrlflcing, hard workingstate secretary for what he has uncomplainingly deprived himself of, forthe sake of keeping the state officefunctioning...
...It is easy to be brave when the state troopers are with you...
...The height ofmilitant folly is best exemplified inthe resolution adopted by Maine comrades demanding the appointment ofa national labor committee whose dutyshall be to organize the unorganized,to agitate for aggressive Industrialunionism and to abandon all compromise with less than a Socialistgoal...
...Nox 191omrade Thomas, but 1914 is thate when the leaders who todaould press the struggle against Hier's Facism, embraced that of thohenzollern under the guise of waoday, the Communist Party r>i Gerany Is aiding the advancement ohe arch-enemy of the working clashe embattled bourgeoisie, and rotzky, one of their own leaders, harned, If with tacit Communist, aithe Fascists seize state power, It mawell mean the destruction of thhird International, Just as Socialieputies voting war credits In Geany and France in 1914 destroyehe Second International...
...The Issue at hand and thnly one as I saw it at that meetinwas whether we were to give ourethren of the would-be "left" apportunity to hoot down one of ouinest leaders, whether we considere few dollars In our empty coffeore Important than enduring a deate which would turn out to be hameless display of the lowness ohe Communist mob as we knohem especially In New York...
...Transportationwith police escort was given them— the escort of the arrogant statepolice...
...The comrades all work like beavers—everybody on theob...
...Boston, Mas...
...The younger people there spoke good English, had an alert understanding of the situation and showed a keen Interest la wanting to know more about theworld outside...
...By simply convertinrivately owned property Into collecively or aoclallzed property, will noolve the problem of Socialism...
...Mind you, no one doubted Comradmomas' ability to present our poinf view In a forceful and convincinanner...
...Black Lick is an American town and in this American town the Socialist party Is popular...
...Perhaps the saddestthing in this struggle is that the strikebreakers were such pliable tools of their master.1...
...The practical details of the socialzed state, the modus operendl, havot to be planned and blue-printeefore socialization Is begun...
...Not a spark of understanding...
...He Is fortified ith a great courage that is born rom the knowledge that Socialism ill bring a greater degree of hapiness and security to the human amily...
...If the Maine comrades had anyhistorical knowledge, they would seethe futility, even the danger of sucha move...
...Thao my mind, Is the outstanding omef what continued organization bMilitants" as a group, is leading tI submit a harmonious situation ihe Sunnyside Branch as proof of thact that complete avoidance oMilitant" discussions and subsequenitter antagonisms, can atart us oncore on the path to constructive efort...
...The strikers did a noble piece of work...
...THE N. Y. STATE CONVENTIOBy Edward P. Clarke At the last meeting of the statcommittee It was voted to hold thstate convention in Utica about Jul4...
...I That he will open the eeting, call for the collection, istribute \the literature and get he comrades together In the kindst way possible...
...Many would give gladly of their time and work if expenses were available...
...If the interest charges on thonds were paid out of heavy inome and Inheritance taxes rathean out of rentals, beautifuomes similar to the Amalgamatelothing Workers Apartments orand street could be built to rent 925 or $30 a month...
...There they parked, readyfor action to convoy the scabssafely to their destination...
...It also found plenty ooney for cannon and ammuniions...
...As late as 192omrade Hillqult pointed out that bween the numerically small anti-warties and the powerful and numerially strong war-credit parties, theras no sound basis for the reconstruion of the Second International...
...Butin the face of this, there Is a bravery about these people that ladeeply touching...
...A program of this kind in addion to wiping out the slum, thgliest product of capitalist Indusial lam, would break the viciouycle of depression by restoring thurchasing power of the worker...
...for better working conditions...
...How many Socialists, even amonhe Intelligentsia, can give a satisactory answer to this and otheuestions, of the basic principles ooc i al Ism...
...Will all workmen, dong necessary useful social labor anrawing pay from the state, get thame wage per hour...
...How then today do I read In official party utterances that we, the Bo*clallst party of America, with oucostly bought war record, yoked since 1923 in the same International of paties with those very parties and thvery leadership that in 1914 In Bnhand...
...It seem* to me that this action wmoat unwise and that the state convention should have been called foNew York for the following reasons1...
...InCassandra, the miners were onstrike...
...But the strikers were on handyoung and old alike—men andwomen together...
Vol. 13 • May 1932 • No. 20
